A 35 -stages itinerary in four regions to retrace the mission of the pontiff, between sacred places, UNESCO sites, traditional traditions and flavors of Peru
An itinerary that is much more than a simple geographical track: it is a journey into the memory, spirituality and identity of a people. With the official presentation of the “Ruta of Pope Leo XIV”, Peru offers the world a path that crosses four regions – Piura, Lambayeque, Libertad and the Constitutional Province of Callao – connecting over 35 places related to the life and pastoral work of the Pope, today the first Pope of Peruvian citizenship.
Pope Leo XIV, born in the United States and Peruvian citizen since 2015, has intertwined his destiny to that of these communities since 1985, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s religious, social and cultural life. The Ruta retraces its years of pastoral service and enriches them with the historical, artistic, natural and gastronomic heritage of a Peru who does not stop telling each other.
From the mission to Piura to the capital of Lambayeque culture
The journey begins in Morropón-Chulucanas, in the Piura region, where Leo XIV took the first steps of his mission. Here are the cathedral of the Holy Family, the parish of San José Obrero and villages that keep a ceramic craft tradition of the most appreciated in the country.
Lambayeque represents the richest heart of Ruta, with 22 sites between places of worship, museums and natural spaces. Here the pontiff was bishop of Chiclayo and left a spiritual legacy still alive. The route unfolds between the city cathedral, the church of San Pedro in Monsefú and the convent of San Agustín, but also among the archaeological treasures of the Museum of the royal tombs of Sipán, the Túcume complex with its 26 pyramids, and the historical sanctuary of the Bosque de Pómac, the largest carrubes forest in the world.
Libertad and the echo of pre -Columbian history
The Libertad region, where the Pope lived and taught for over a decade, hosts places that tell his work as much as the millennial history of Peru. The Archbishoped of Trujillo, the Mayor seminar and the parish of Our Lady of Montserrat are just some of the stages that alternate with the grandeur of the city of Chan Chan, the largest citadel in Adobe of the pre -Columbian era and a World Heritage Site. A few kilometers away, Huanchaco welcomes visitors with the waves traveled by the traditional caballitos de Totora, ancient barrels of barrels still used today by fishermen.
Callao: faith and urban creativity
The route ends in the Constitutional Province of Callao, where the Pope operated as an apostolic administrator. The Cathedral Matriz, the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Carmen de la Legua and the parish of Santa Rosa are places of profound devotion. Not far away, Callao Monumental reveals a vibrant soul, made of urban art, music and gastronomy. From here we leave for the Palomino islands, a marine sanctuary where Humboldt penguins and one of the largest colonies of sea lions of the country live.
An itinerary also of taste
The Ruta of Pope Leo XIV is also a journey to the flavors: from the Malarobia di Piura, a Lenten plate based on mature plane trees, to the Cabrito Nortteño of Lambayeque cooked in the Chicha de Jora; From the sopa Teóloga of La Libertad, typical of Holy Week, up to the Parihuela di Callao, intense fish and seafood soup. Each region offers a table that tells its identity.
Future investments and perspectives
To make this project possible, the Peruvian government has allocated an investment of around 130 million euros, with the aim of restoring churches, expanding museums, improving infrastructure and creating economic opportunities for guides, craftsmen and local restaurateurs. The expansion of the itinerary to the Apurímac region is already studying, to include other significant stages of the Pastoral Service of Leone XIV.
